Why I hike the long trail - A Poem By True North

"Well, she's at it again." And they're right. It's high time for
another long hike. Why? Well, I hike the long trail because I love to;
because there are no traffic jams or signals, no stop signs, parking meters or police.
because no where on earth have I experienced lakes so deep in color they appear purple;
because in their pristine waters, a log can be seen 25 feet below the surface.
because the greens are greener out here, the blues bluer, and images are crisp and sharp.
because I like being supported by the earth each night when I rest upon her;
because I experience the terrain, vegetation, and wildlife of the land with an intimacy those touring in SUV's will never know;
because, alas, campsites are plentiful and free!

I hike the long trail because "getting out of town" on a Friday night is a daily occurrence -
and it happens every morning at 6AM.
because hiking defines freedom, adventure, peace and beauty;
because no two days are ever alike.
because the toughest executive decision out here is how much water to carry, how many miles to hike, and where to camp -
best of all, none need board approval to be put into action.
because, mercifully, there are no phones or pagers on the trail;
because some of the most awesome people I know walk trails.

I hike the long trail because I can gorge myself stupid on wild huckleberries;
because I like the idea of carrying all I need to live on my back - which truly isn't much.
because opening a re-supply box comes closest to the excitement of Christmas morning I've known since childhood;
because starting a day doesn't rely on coffee and unwinding from it doesn't rely on beer - just 400mg ibuprofen;
because for every uphill there is a downhill,
and for every rocky path there is one padded with soft pine needles… somewhere.
because when no one is around to help me out of a snow bank or up a steep canyon, I discover what I'm made of;
because trail mix tastes better out here.

I hike the long trail because the sights on a thru-hike are ultimately diverse;
because the trail is safer than any metropolitan area I know of;
because hikers are patient, adventuresome beings, who genuinely look after one another;
because I'm inspired by the footprints left by those on the trail before me;
because June 21st (summer solstice) is "hike naked day;"
because "taking a walk" will never hold the same meaning again;
and finally, not because I regard hiking a long trail as being so terribly important,
but because I suspect that many of the other concerns of mankind are equally unimportant --
and not nearly so much fun.

-True North (From her Appalachian Trail Journal in 2003)